Friday, November 19, 2010

San Mateo residents who want to install graywater recycling systems in their single- and two-family homes can now do it without first obtaining a building permit from the city.

The San Mateo City Council voted unanimously Monday to drop the need for securing building permits in constructing graywater recycling systems that take water from washing machines, for instance, and re-uses it for irrigating trees and plants in the resident’s yard.

The decision was made as the council adopted the 2010 California Plumbing Code.

The council wants to encourage residents to conserve water and help make San Mateo a more sustainable community.

“The implementation of graywater recycling for our city residents was a priority for my first year in office, and I’m proud that our city staff worked diligently to listen to the requests of our residents to help them find ways to conserve water,” said Councilman David Lim.

Graywater recycling, which is water reclaimed from home appliances, can be reused in landscaped areas of home to help conserve drinking water, reduce energy costs to homeowners and help reduce overall water consumption.

Effective immediately, the plumbing code does not require a permit for clotheswasher and one single-fixture system water systems.

“A lot of the hassle of installing a graywater system just went away,” said Lim. “That is good for the homeowner, good for the city and good for the environment.”

Monday, November 15, 2010

San Mateo, CA – November 16, 2010 – In a step forward to encourage local residents to conserve water and help make the City of San Mateo a more sustainable community, the San Mateo City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance yesterday night to allow “permit free” graywater recycling systems in single and two-family home dwellings.

In a vote to adopt the 2010 California Plumbing Code, the San Mateo City Council did away with the need for homeowners to secure building permits in constructing graywater recycling systems that take water from clotheswasher and one single-fixture systems and re-use the water for irrigating trees and plants in the homeowner’s yard. Other more complex graywater systems are still subject to the permit process.

Graywater recycling, which is water reclaimed from home appliances such as washing machines, can be reused in landscaped areas of home to help conserve drinking water, reduce energy costs to homeowners, and help reduce overall water consumption.

“This is an important day for water conservation for San Mateo residents,” noted San Mateo City Councilmember David Lim. “The implementation of graywater recycling for our City residents was a priority for my first year in office, and I’m proud that our City Staff worked diligently to listen to the requests of our residents to help them find ways to conserve water.”

Effective immediately, the Plumbing Code, which is Chapter 23.16 of the San Mateo Municipal Code, does not require a permit for clotheswasher and one single-fixture system water systems. “A lot of the hassle of installing a graywater system just went away,” said Lim. “That is good for the homeowner, good for the City, and good for the environment.”

This morning I had the honor of attending and celebrating the recognition of nine San Mateo Police Department personnel for outstanding service to their community. Congratulations to the following award recipients:

GORDON JOINVILLE SPECIAL MERIT MEDAL

Lieutenant Rick Passanisi - Awarded to Lt. Passanisi for a career of achievement, including outstanding service to the youth of San Mateo through the Police Activities League and the Police Cadet Program.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL

Officer Sean Keller

Officer Nickolas Morsilli

Officer Jason Reed

Officer Steve Robinson

Officer Adam Smith

These officers were recognized for their part in helping to evacuate over 35 residents during a neighborhood fire, as well as the successful rescue of a baby who was choking.

LIEUTENANT'S COMMENDATION

Officer Michael Leishman

Officer Mikhail Venikov

Awarded for their role is helping to evacuate over 35 residents during a neighborhood fire.

CHIEF’S COMMENDATION

Dispatcher Mary Kay Breit (retired)

Ms. Breit, who is a retired dispatcher, was honored for helping to save the life of a young woman who attempted to take her own life.

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The dedication and professionalism exhibited by the men and women of the San Mateo Police Department each and every day deserves our recognition and support. Congratulations to the award winners, and please be sure to thank the employees of the San Mateo Police Department when you see them!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

This past Monday, I was pleased to approve an ordinance that authorized the creation of a Pedestrian Master Plan for the City of San Mateo. Along with a companion ordinance passed earlier this year to create a Bicycle Master Plan, the City of San Mateo will now embark to create a 20-year plan to create a community friendly to the needs of pedestrians and bicycle riders.

In voting to hire Alta Planning and Design, the City will engage local homeowner, neighborhood groups, and other stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan that will lay out, more pathways for people to walk and cycle through our City. All aspects of City life, including traffic safety, future development, creation of more open space, and reducing our carbon footprint will be taken into consideration in the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plans that will be completed in the next 12-18 months.

The funding for the development of these master plans comes from taxpayer approved "Measure A" funds, which in 2004 extended a half cent sales tax to provide funding for transportation and safety improvements on our City streets, including projects to study pedestrian and bicycle safety. No general fund money will be used to fund this project.

I encourage all residents to get involved in the community workshops that will be coming soon to a neighborhood near you, and help us create a more dynamic city for pedestrians and bicycles!

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